Our Core Strength

I would like to share with you something that I've learned recently through Miss Sarah McNeill, a Pediatric Occupational Therapist.  She came to speak to us about a very serious issue which is becoming more common with our children today.  Miss McNeil works with the Poway School district and she also runs her own practice.   

       At school, we see more and more children with emotional needs, social issues, lack of spatial awareness, and not being able to follow simple guidelines.  We are often puzzled by these behaviors and, for the most part, there seems to be a pattern although we can't necessarily pinpoint out what's triggering them.  Come to find out these behaviors are not disabilities but due to lacking 'core strength.' 

       What is 'core strength?'  Core strength can be identified as the amount of force the core can produce to perform the desired movement. 

 (For more definitions of 'core strength' you can find a simple explanation here.)

        It is basically what holds our body together, which is a critical part of our system, however, it is not simply for physical means.  The 'core strength' also helps us with sensory processing and self-regulation.

        Children have developmental milestones to meet from birth not because so that they can be categorized as normal or abnormal but because of literally their developmental needs.  When children skip crawling or rolling over, don't do tummy time, are unable to lift their head up as they lay on their back or tummy, or are unable to hold themselves up in an upright position, their sensory processing is delayed.  

        Years later, when those children are much older, we may not pay attention as much to how they have missed or skip those developmental milestones as they are perfectly walking, talking, and doing simple functions. However, the effect and consequences of having delayed sensory processing are, and will, always be present.  We may not see it through our naked eyes but those children are still catching up on years they have missed. 

         All children have a survival instinct and the way they figure out how to regulate themselves is through those specific behaviors I mentioned in the beginning.  We may see them as acting up, but truly they are simply self-regulating.  It's the way they know how to refresh but we, as adults, can help support them.  It is not the end of the world.  These children are still growing and there are tons of fun exercises we can do to help strengthen their core. 

 So when you see your child:

 - Slumping while standing or sitting in a chair

- Leaning head on one hand while writing or reading

- Leaning on the desk while writing or reading

- Leaning on furniture or other people while standing

- Avoiding gross motor games and activities (playground, sports)

- Fidgeting in the seat and having difficultly sitting still/paying attention

- Difficulty with fine motor control and accuracy (handwriting, cutting with scissors)

- Difficulty with mobility skills:  rolling, crawling, walking

- Difficulty transitioning from one position to another (from lying down to sitting, from sitting to standing, from kneeling to standing)

- Difficulty with balance challenges (balance beam, jumping, stairs)

- Difficulty with maintaining an upright posture when sitting unsupported (sitting on the floor)

- Difficulty with stabilizing the body during dressing and self-care tasks (putting on pants/shoes/socks)

- Frequently sitting in a w-sitting position during play

- Difficulty with endurance for motor tasks

- Difficulty with bilateral coordination

These are signs that show your child may have a weak core and need support.  Even if your child may seem active on the playground, running about, or doing sports, please check through the following signs.  Again, there are tons of fun children exercises you can do with your child for just a few minutes throughout the day.  By doing this your child will feel a difference and we, as adults, should see a difference too.  Let's do this to help support our children.

Finally,  click here for an interesting article about lacking core strength. 

Enjoy reading.

-Miss Vicki, Bumblebee Teacher